With a combination of Atkins and Weight Watchers, Olga Melendez dropped from a 205-pound size 14 to a 146-pound size 6 in less than a year.

My turning point: In February 2004, I weighed myself for the first time in a long time and nearly fell off the scale when it read 205 pounds. After I got over the shock, I dusted off my treadmill and got to work.

My slim-down technique: I lost the first 25 pounds on Atkins but I had constant cravings. I decided to try Weight Watchers instead and lost an additional 34 pounds. I learned it's not what I eat, but how much. I can still enjoy my favorite foods, like rice pudding and roast pork, just in smaller portions.

Exercise routine: I go to the YMCA five to six days a week. I take a 45-minute Spinning class twice a week, a 55-minute aerobic class three times a week, and weight train three times a week.

Slim-down advice: Visualize how you want to look and make a mental picture. It's a great motivator. And remember, just like anything else worth having, you have to work toward achieving your weight-loss goal.

The payoffs: Feeling great and looking great. Talk about a confidence boost!

The Secret of Your Success

Have you lost unwanted pounds and kept them off? Whether you've shed that extra weight with a diet that really worked or by revamping your snack habits, we want to know your secrets for an ongoing Good Housekeeping Web feature. Email us your success story and be sure to include your name and daytime phone number.